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What do you know now that you wish you had known when you chose your career/profession?  
We ask the viewers of The Career Exposure Network to let us know and our QuickPoll respondents gave some great career advice.
Here's what they said:

•    Formal business acumen is important

•    Have excellent financial management skills, as your backbone. Critical thinking is essential. Also, get your MBA.

•    Learn to lead, and observe and absorb the professional skill that aren't taught in college.

•    Develop a network of professionals in all fields. Recognize the skills you have are transferable.

•    Education is very important. Society seems to be very informal these day and the anything goes attitude is pervasive in the college culture, but strong business skills are a must for achieving future success.

•    Learn that you aren't selling out if you work hard and act/dress/conduct yourself professionally.

•    I was naive and thought that once I chose a career that was it. My advice--be flexible, look out for opportunity, even change leading to new work. Change is a constant in the workplace. You have to constantly be broadening your horizons. If you want to succeed, you have to look for opportunities; they won't just fall in you lap.

•    Importance of Strong communication skills -- I know how to speak with a purpose. I have learned the importance of formulating my thoughts before letting them go, even in a hurried moment, I take the time to think about my comments and what they could imply if spoken in the wrong tone.

•    Smaller office environments enable greater learning potential on the job. You tend to do more than just your designated assignment, which quickly builds you a diverse and strong skill set for future endeavors.


For additional career and employment information as well as job and candidate search strategies, visit CareerWomen.com, DiversitySearch.com, MBACareers.com, and CareerExposure.com.




--- Source: The Career Exposure Network™

Establish networks with professionals in your current or desired fields.
Search for and attend association events, cocktail receptions and critical seminars that will attract the people you should know.

Be prepared to talk with new people. 
Draft a few questions and statements that will help get the conversation going. Ask what inspired your new contact to join his/her company or what experience he/she brings to the job. Share your positive experiences, what you've learned and your intended career path. Get his/her contact information!!

Look for mutual opportunities.
Perhaps your new contact could benefit from your friend's business. Offer to make an introduction. Maybe your new contact knows someone working at your dream company. Ask if he/she would consider sharing your information with that person. Look for reasons to maintain contact and share resources. Be reliable! Don't promise something that you can't deliver.

Keep in touch!
Follow up every few months just to say hello, see how business is going, set a coffee date...anything that will keep you top of mind. Nearly all networked affiliates share job leads, business leads or tips that can help you achieve your goals.


For additional career and employment information as well as job and candidate search strategies, visit CareerWomen.com, DiversitySearch.com, MBACareers.com, and CareerExposure.com.




--- Source: The Career Exposure Network™

We asked our Employers/ Recruiters;  What's the most important advice you would give a Job candidate to gain the edge above the competition and get that interview?

“Make sure you are qualified for the job.
Come prepared, be professional and tell me how you can help our company achieve our objectives.
Don't come with your list of demands and what you think the job should be.”


Source:   CareerWomen.com / The Career Exposure Network™

Read the full content here.